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In Thailand, a married couple is accused of fraud for selling fake gold jewelry through social media to hundreds of buyers.
A large-scale scandal involving online sales fraud has erupted in Thailand, according to the Bangkok Post. At the center of the accusations was a married couple who advertised and sold "golden" jewelry through live broadcasts on social networks. The deceived buyers soon discovered that the jewelry they purchased contained no gold, despite the sellers' assurances that the items were made up of "99.99% pure gold".
The first suspicions arose when customers tried to resell jewelry in other jewelry stores, but they were refused, citing the lack of standard markings and gold content in the products. Soon, more than 300 people turned to the police with collective complaints, accusing the spouses of public fraud.
The victims claim that the couple deliberately misled them with false advertising, demonstrating their products in live broadcasts. During the investigation, the police obtained evidence of purchases and the results of examinations, which confirmed the absence of gold in the jewelry.
According to the head of the Police Consumer Protection Division (CPPD), General Witthai Sriprasertpub, public fraud is a criminal offense for which long prison sentences are provided.
"Each transaction is considered as a separate episode of fraud, and up to five years in prison can be imposed for each of them," the general explained.
He also recalled cases when fraudsters received punishments totaling several thousand years in prison.
In addition, spouses may face additional charges for misrepresentation and violation of trade rules. Luxury goods were found in their property, including cars with a total value of about 120 million baht, including a Porsche 911 Carrera S Coupe, a Lamborghini and other luxury cars confiscated as part of the investigation.
General Witthaya noted that the rapid development of e-commerce creates fertile ground for fraudsters. Often, unscrupulous sellers either do not ship the goods after receiving payment, or sell fake or low-quality products, even if they are promoted by famous personalities.
Police urge buyers to be more cautious and check sellers before making a purchase, especially when it comes to values such as gold. In particular, it is recommended to check whether the store is registered with the Gold Traders Association of Thailand. Buying from unregistered sellers significantly increases the risk of becoming a victim of fraud, as such products are often substandard and cannot be resold.
Kosolwat Intuchanyong, Senior Prosecutor and Head of the Office of Enforcement and Legal Aid at the Attorney General's Office of Thailand, explained that concealing information about the quality of goods violates the Consumer Protection Act. Under section 47 of the Act, sellers who knowingly mislead buyers as to the origin, quality or quantity of goods may be sentenced to imprisonment of up to six monthsand/or a fine of up to 100 thousand baht.
Repeated violation of the law increases the punishment to one year in prison or a fine of 200 thousand baht. In addition, if the product does not contain labeling or the information on it is incorrect, this is also an offense for which fines and prison terms are provided.
The prosecutor also expressed doubts that the spouses would be able to avoid punishment, even though they offered the buyers to return the money for the jewelry on the condition of returning the goods and signing a refusal to prosecute. Police continue to gather evidence to find out if the couple hid important information about the goods being sold during their broadcasts.
Currently, Kornkanok Suwanbut and Kanpong Rueng-aram are accused of public fraud, entering false data into computer systems, publishing incorrect information and violating trade rules. The investigation is also considering the possibility of bringing additional charges in connection with illegal commercial activities.
A large-scale scandal involving online sales fraud has erupted in Thailand, according to the Bangkok Post. At the center of the accusations was a married couple who advertised and sold "golden" jewelry through live broadcasts on social networks. The deceived buyers soon discovered that the jewelry they purchased contained no gold, despite the sellers' assurances that the items were made up of "99.99% pure gold".
The first suspicions arose when customers tried to resell jewelry in other jewelry stores, but they were refused, citing the lack of standard markings and gold content in the products. Soon, more than 300 people turned to the police with collective complaints, accusing the spouses of public fraud.
The victims claim that the couple deliberately misled them with false advertising, demonstrating their products in live broadcasts. During the investigation, the police obtained evidence of purchases and the results of examinations, which confirmed the absence of gold in the jewelry.
According to the head of the Police Consumer Protection Division (CPPD), General Witthai Sriprasertpub, public fraud is a criminal offense for which long prison sentences are provided.
"Each transaction is considered as a separate episode of fraud, and up to five years in prison can be imposed for each of them," the general explained.
He also recalled cases when fraudsters received punishments totaling several thousand years in prison.
In addition, spouses may face additional charges for misrepresentation and violation of trade rules. Luxury goods were found in their property, including cars with a total value of about 120 million baht, including a Porsche 911 Carrera S Coupe, a Lamborghini and other luxury cars confiscated as part of the investigation.
General Witthaya noted that the rapid development of e-commerce creates fertile ground for fraudsters. Often, unscrupulous sellers either do not ship the goods after receiving payment, or sell fake or low-quality products, even if they are promoted by famous personalities.
Police urge buyers to be more cautious and check sellers before making a purchase, especially when it comes to values such as gold. In particular, it is recommended to check whether the store is registered with the Gold Traders Association of Thailand. Buying from unregistered sellers significantly increases the risk of becoming a victim of fraud, as such products are often substandard and cannot be resold.
Kosolwat Intuchanyong, Senior Prosecutor and Head of the Office of Enforcement and Legal Aid at the Attorney General's Office of Thailand, explained that concealing information about the quality of goods violates the Consumer Protection Act. Under section 47 of the Act, sellers who knowingly mislead buyers as to the origin, quality or quantity of goods may be sentenced to imprisonment of up to six monthsand/or a fine of up to 100 thousand baht.
Repeated violation of the law increases the punishment to one year in prison or a fine of 200 thousand baht. In addition, if the product does not contain labeling or the information on it is incorrect, this is also an offense for which fines and prison terms are provided.
The prosecutor also expressed doubts that the spouses would be able to avoid punishment, even though they offered the buyers to return the money for the jewelry on the condition of returning the goods and signing a refusal to prosecute. Police continue to gather evidence to find out if the couple hid important information about the goods being sold during their broadcasts.
Currently, Kornkanok Suwanbut and Kanpong Rueng-aram are accused of public fraud, entering false data into computer systems, publishing incorrect information and violating trade rules. The investigation is also considering the possibility of bringing additional charges in connection with illegal commercial activities.
